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Kingstone Companies, Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 1 lowered, 3 narrowed, 2 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net income rose 62% in quarter: Net income was $17,584 thousand, up 61.7%, and diluted EPS was $1.19 against $0.74. Nine-month net income rose 4.8% to $27,246 thousand. Source
  • Net combined ratio improved 7.1 points: Net combined ratio was 65.6% for the quarter against 72.7%. The nine-month net combined ratio was 81.7% against 79.0%. Source
  • Catastrophe losses rose to 7.5 points: Catastrophe loss ratio was 7.5% for the quarter against 0.2%. The nine-month catastrophe loss ratio was 10.4% against 0.8%. Source
  • Underlying loss ratio improved 10.6 points: Excluding catastrophes and prior-year development, the underlying loss ratio was 33.5% against 44.1%, on lower frequency and severity. Source
  • Net combined ratio range lowered: The 2026 net combined ratio estimate is 79% to 83%, against 81% to 86% previously. The underlying combined ratio range is unchanged. Source
  • EPS guidance midpoint raised: The 2026 diluted EPS guidance is $2.70 to $2.90, against $2.20 to $2.90 previously. The midpoint moves to $2.80. Source
  • Direct premiums growth about 16%: The 2026 direct premiums written growth estimate is approximately 16%, against 16% to 20% previously. Source

“I am very pleased to again report the most profitable quarter in Kingstone history.”

Meryl Golden, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kingstone

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Direct premiums written growth Source2026 full year~16%Narrowed, top end cut from 16% to 20%
Net combined ratio Source2026 full year79% to 83%Lowered from 81% to 86%
Underlying combined ratio Source2026 full year74% to 76%Kept
Prior-year reserve development Source2026 full year, as a percentage of estimated full-year net premiums earned(3)% to (2)%Raised from - %
Catastrophe loss ratio Source2026 full year8% to 9%Kept
Net income per share, diluted Source2026 full year$2.70 to $2.90Narrowed, low end up from $2.20 to $2.90
Return on equity Source2026 full year29% to 30%Narrowed, low end up from 24% to 30%
Effective tax rate (modeling assumption) Source2026 full year21%
Weighted average diluted shares (modeling assumption) Source2026 full year14.8 million

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Diluted EPS guidance raised and narrowed to $2.70 to $2.90 from $2.20 to $2.90. Source
  • Guidance raised: Return on equity guidance raised to 29% to 30% from 24% to 30%. Source
  • Guidance raised: Prior-year reserve development estimate changed from no development to favorable development of 2% to 3% of full-year net premiums earned. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Direct premiums written growth estimate updated to approximately 16%, from 16% to 20%. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Net combined ratio estimate moved to 79% to 83% from 81% to 86%. Source
  • Guidance kept: Underlying combined ratio estimate kept at 74% to 76%. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net income rose 62% in quarter: Net income was $17,584 thousand, up 61.7%, and diluted EPS was $1.19 against $0.74. Nine-month net income rose 4.8% to $27,246 thousand. Source
  • Operating EPS rose 67%: Operating diluted EPS, which excludes net investment gains and losses, was $1.22 against $0.73. Nine-month operating diluted EPS rose 14.9% to $1.93. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose 66%: Adjusted EBITDA was $24,378 thousand, up 66.2%. Nine-month adjusted EBITDA rose 19.2% to $40,170 thousand. Source
  • Net premiums earned rose 30%: Net premiums earned rose 30.2% to $62,412 thousand, which management linked to premium growth and a reduced quota share. Source

Products and customers

  • Policies in force up 11%: Policies in force reached 86,579 at September 30, 2026, up 11.0% from 78,026 a year earlier. Source
  • Renewal premiums and retention drove growth: Management attributed direct premium growth to higher average renewal premiums, improved retention and new business growth. Source
  • Select mix supports claim costs: Management linked lower claim frequency and severity to the growing Select mix and faster claims cycle times, which give earlier visibility into ultimate claim costs. Source

“Net income increased 62% to $17.6 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, and our GAAP net combined ratio improved 7.1 points to 65.6%, resulting in an annualized return on equity of 52.9%.”

Meryl Golden, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kingstone

Loss ratio and combined ratio

  • Net combined ratio improved 7.1 points: Net combined ratio was 65.6% for the quarter against 72.7%. The nine-month net combined ratio was 81.7% against 79.0%. Source
  • Catastrophe losses rose to 7.5 points: Catastrophe loss ratio was 7.5% for the quarter against 0.2%. The nine-month catastrophe loss ratio was 10.4% against 0.8%. Source
  • Reserve development lowered losses: Prior-year reserve development reduced the quarter's net loss ratio by 6.1 points. The nine-month effect was 3.8 points. Source
  • Underlying loss ratio improved 10.6 points: Excluding catastrophes and prior-year development, the underlying loss ratio was 33.5% against 44.1%, on lower frequency and severity. Source
  • Underwriting expense ratio rose: Net underwriting expense ratio was 30.7% for the quarter against 28.4%. The nine-month ratio was 30.6% against 30.8%. Source

2026 guidance update

  • Net combined ratio range lowered: The 2026 net combined ratio estimate is 79% to 83%, against 81% to 86% previously. The underlying combined ratio range is unchanged. Source
  • EPS guidance midpoint raised: The 2026 diluted EPS guidance is $2.70 to $2.90, against $2.20 to $2.90 previously. The midpoint moves to $2.80. Source
  • Direct premiums growth about 16%: The 2026 direct premiums written growth estimate is approximately 16%, against 16% to 20% previously. Source
  • Catastrophe estimate above average: The 2026 catastrophe loss ratio estimate is 8% to 9%, narrowed from 7% to 10%. It is above the six-year average and reflects elevated winter storm activity in the first quarter. Source
  • No further reserve development assumed: The 2026 prior-year reserve development estimate is (3)% to (2)% of full-year net premiums earned. No further development is assumed for the fourth quarter. Source
  • Return on equity estimate raised: The 2026 return on equity estimate is 29% to 30%, against 24% to 30% previously. Source

“We will continue to execute with discipline, grow where the returns justify it and allocate capital prudently to deliver long-term value to our shareholders.”

Meryl Golden, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kingstone

Demand and written premium

  • Direct premiums written grew 14.5%: Direct premiums written were $86,795 thousand for the quarter, up 14.5%. Nine-month direct premiums written rose 17.4% to $228,892 thousand. Source
  • Net premiums written rose 39%: Net premiums written were $44,104 thousand for the quarter, up 39.4%. Nine-month net premiums written rose 30.8% to $189,487 thousand. Source
  • Ceded written premium fell: Ceded written premiums were $42,691 thousand for the quarter, down 3.3%. Nine-month ceded written premiums fell 21.5%. Source

Investment income and portfolio

  • Net investment income rose 50%: Net investment income was $3,756 thousand for the quarter, up 50.3%. Nine-month net investment income rose 53.7% to $10,522 thousand. Source
  • Investment losses in quarter: Net losses on investments were $550 thousand for the quarter, against gains of $182 thousand a year earlier. Source
  • Investments and cash grew: Total investments were $337,055,391 and cash and cash equivalents were $20,789,875 at September 30, 2026. The comparable December 31, 2025 figures were $309,688,511 and $12,178,730. Source

Capital, returns and strategy

  • Book value per share up 26%: Diluted book value per share was $9.21, up 26.5%. Excluding AOCI, it was $10.43, up 34.9%. Source
  • Dividend per share increased: Dividends declared and paid were $0.06 per share in the quarter, against $0.05 a year earlier. Nine-month dividends were $0.16 per share. Source
  • Debt reduced since year-end: Debt, net, was $3,474,589 at September 30, 2026, against $4,440,127 at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Geographic expansion into two states: Management described writing in Connecticut on an admitted basis and in California on a non-admitted basis as geographic diversification. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Combined ratio SourceNet combined ratio 65.6% for the quarter; 81.7% for nine months
Net premiums written Source$44,104 thousand for the quarter; $189,487 thousand for nine months
Prior-year reserve development Source(6.1)% for the quarter; (3.8)% for nine months
Catastrophe losses SourceCatastrophe loss ratio 7.5% for the quarter; 10.4% for nine months
Investment income Source$3,756 thousand for the quarter; $10,522 thousand for nine months
Book value per share Source$9.21 diluted; $10.43 excluding AOCI

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: Other comprehensive loss for the nine months was $12,130 thousand after tax, reflecting changes in the value of available-for-sale fixed income securities. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.